Most of the dog doors and cat doors offered in this section are designed for installation through a screen. Could be a window screen, sliding screen door or the screen in a screened in porch. The other type is the 'instant' or hanging screen door which may be installed in any doorway whether regular door, sliding door or French door.

There are two versions of screen installs:

With screen material on all 4 sides

In the bottom corner where minor drilling is required

For all 4 sides

Measure your pet from feet to shoulder to determine how high to install the screen door

How durable will a pet door be when installed through a screen?

Heavier duty screen material is recommended when installing a pet door, as weaker materials can certainly tear from frequent use of a pet door. Some pet doors for screens attach to the corner of the screen so that two sides can be attached to the frame, while the other two sides attach to the screen material. These kinds of pet doors are much stronger than options that have all four sides attached to screen material only and can tolerate much more use as well as larger sized pets.

How easy are pet doors in screens to install?

Pet doors that install with screen material on all four sides usually only require a couple simple tools to install while the ones that attach to the corner of the screen require minor drilling. Pet doors for screens are easier to install than pet doors for doors or walls, but your ability to install one still depends on the tools you have available and your skill set.

If you want a pet door in your screen that will last, as well as consistently close to keep out the bugs, investing in a Hale is a smart idea. Since it secures to the frame itself, it will be able to tolerate active and large pets without tearing your screen. The pet door is made with sturdy aluminum framing that won’t break apart even with years of use.

Will the pet door keep the bugs out?

Some flaps seal better than others. Flaps with more magnets will close more quickly and consistently, like the Hale, while other options might take longer to swing to a closed position and be less wind-resistant.

There are several pet doors on the market that install directly through the screen and rely upon the screen itself for support on all four sides. These come in a variety of sizes and are most suitable for smaller and less active pets like cats though some may be sized for large dogs.

For larger or more active pets we recommend something more sturdy. Choose a brand that allows the pet door frame to be fastened to the screen frame with sheet metal screws down one side and across the bottom. Then the screen is re-splined to a special groove in the other two sides.

Important note regarding the snap-in style: We've gotten some complaints from people with heavy wire screening that they can't install them because the screen is too stiff to force into the groove provided by the pet door. If you have that type of screening, we'd suggest getting the “Sturdy Mount” types. Also, we worry about the very, very light fiberglass screening. It may not be strong enough to support the snap-in types even with gentle use.

What is the most sturdy pet door for screens?

The Hale Pet Door for Screens is the most secure. This pet door installs in the corner of the screen and secures to the frame, and if you add a stabilizer bar it also supports the pet door on the top. Stabilizer bars are only necessary for the larger sizes, but if you want the most sturdy set up that is what we'd recommend! The Pride Pet Door is also very sturdy and a little more economical. Keep in mind that the most secure screens are metal screens.

I have a very active Labrador, what screen dog door should I get?

For very active and larger pets in general, we always recommend that you purchase the dog screen doors that are attached to the frame of the screen because this is the sturdiest and most stable option for screen doors. The Hale Security Pet Door Screen Mount is a great example of a good screen door that is sturdy.

Do you sell screen doors with a pet door pre-installed?

We do not sell pre-installed pet doors in screens. However, installing pet doors in a screen are relatively simpler than other install locations.

What are the different types of through-screen installations?

There are two approaches to installing a pet door through a screen:

Some pet doors are designed to clamp onto the screen itself. These are very simple to install requiring only a sharp knife, a flat surface (like the kitchen floor) and a hammer. Also they are quite inexpensive.

Others are designed to fasten with sheet metal screws onto the screen framing in a lower corner. These require more expertise to install (you might even want to have a screen shop do this for you) and cost significantly more. However, they are also much sturdier and come in a wider variety of sizes.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of installing a pet door in a screen?

Advantages

Cost. Particularly the clamp-on styles are very inexpensive and easily installed or removed. All you would have to replace is the screen if you decide not to have the pet door anymore.

If you have nowhere else to put your pet door then it's nice to know that you can use a pet door through the screen of a window, door or porch.

A door through the screen allows you to still use the screen for ventilation in the spring and summer without allowing bugs in.

Disadvantages

Obviously, you let the weather in with the pet. This might not matter for a screened-in porch, but it could be very undesirable for household living in colder climates.

If you lock the pet in or out you may find that the pet scratches the screen in frustration trying to use the pet door.

With the clamp-on style the pet door, it is not nearly as supportive as the frame mount style. With a calmer pet it should be fine. However, an active dog may take the pet door out into the back yard as he goes through, even though the pet door may be large enough for the dog as the door is not as secure with only the support of the screen. Screen doors are great, economic options for pet owners, but you just need to be sure that the door you’re buying is suitable for your pet! And as with anything, you are usually “paying for what you get” as far as durability goes.

I'm getting the sturdy type that fastens to the screen framing. Does the thickness of the screen framing matter?

Yes it does. This type of pet door expects the screen frame to be no thicker than 1/2". If thinner then ⅜”, the screen frame might not be strong enough to support a larger dog door. If it is thicker than 1/2", then the pet door frame must be modified. With the Hale we indicate the manufacturer will do this for you in the description for the specific pet door, or you may do-it-yourself with a table saw and metal-cutting blade if you choose to go with the Pride Pet Door and Screen Adaptor.

How do I choose which I need?

Screen installations like the Gateway and PetSafe models tend to work best with cats and small mellow dogs. With the Hale and Pride screen mounts you attach them to the frame on two sides, making them much more durable. The large range of flap sizes makes much easier to comfortably fit your dog or cat.

Will the screen in the pet door match my screen?

For the clamp types like the PetSafe, Gateway, or RCR Easy Screen they actually use your existing material so no need to worry about it matching. The more sturdy models like the Hale and Pozzy Pet have flaps like a typical dog door, Pozzy Pet’s flap is rigid and Hale’s flap is a clear flexible vinyl material.

Does the type of screen that I have matter?

If you intend to use the type that fastens to the screen framing then the screen material type doesn't matter. However, if you have light-weight fiberglass screen, then the clamp-on type may not have enough support and installing a pet door might cause the material to rip. With the heavier type of screen the one issue with the clamp on style is that they use pins that go through the screen and into the frame on the other side. We have found that in situations where the screen material is more heavy duty, that pre-starting the holes in the screen ensures that the pins go all the way through, which helps keep the two sides of the frame snapped together.

What is the spline?

The spline is the black rubber tube shaped material that surrounds the edges of the screen and holds the screen material in the frame.

What if my screen is already torn out by my pet?

The clamp-on type is unlikely to work because you won't have screen to clamp onto on two sides. You'll need to replace the damaged screen, and then install the pet door. If you're planning to get a dog door that fastens to the screen frame itself then, as long as the pet door frame is larger than the torn out portion you'll very likely to be able to do the install with the screen "as is". This, of course, implies that you have the skill to re-spline the screen to the pet door--a job that isn't particularly easy. You might need to make a trip to the screen shop just to make sure you get a good result.

What is a stabilizer bar?

The stabilizer bar comes with Tall/Large and above Hale model screen mounts. This bar helps provide support for the corner of the screen mount in the middle of the door as this is farthest away from any framing. It can be ordered here for smaller Hale models but is not needed most of the time.

What size should I buy?

We recommend that you measure your pet to find the right size. Here is a helpful video!

Are there locking covers?

The Pride Pet Door and Screen Adaptor Set is the only one that includes a closing cover. The reason that most don't is that if you need to lock the pet door off, you just simply close your door or window. A few, like the PetSafe, come with small tabs that you slide in and out to secure the flap.

Can I install this through my screened-in porch?

You can definitely install a pet door for screens through any screen, including that of a screened in porch or lanai. If you are going to install it into a corner, you may need to use a custom cut Hale for screens, check out the "Details" tab of that product to read more!

Do I have to cut my screen?

Yes, you will need to cut the screen in order for your pet to go through.

Do I need to buy new screen?

They are designed to fit into your existing screen, but some customers have replaced old screen material with more durable pet screening at the time of installation.

Do you have to screw it to the frame?

Only the Hale and Pride require screwing it to the frame. The rest go directly through the screen material.

How do I measure?

Measuring your pet for a screen pet door is slightly different than for some other pet doors. If you choose a screen dog or cat door that installs completely in the screen material, then it is the same as anything else, using these instructions. However, if you're installing something like a Hale Pet Door for Screens, you will need to take into account that the pet door will be securing to the frame of the screen. This means that you may need a taller pet door flap than you would normally! The top of the flap should sit at least 1 inch above the tallest point of your pet's back, and the width should be wide enough that their sides don't hit the frame of the pet door.

Is the installation easy?

Screen mounted pet doors range in difficulty level. A pet door that is installed with screen material on all 4 sides is relatively easy to install, and the only tool you will likely need is a knife. Pet doors for screens that install into the screen's frame are more difficult, and may require additional tools. Screen pet doors are generally easier to install than through doors or walls, but you may still want a professional to get the job done right.